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LiBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

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Chap. Copyright No., 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 



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I A Child of Mary: I 



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PIOUS PRACTICES I 



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FOR THE 



SODALITY 



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I The Blessed Virgin Mary^ 



BY 




Charles Warren Currier. 



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1896: 

Angel Guardian Press, 
Boston, Mass. 



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1897. 



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CHIIiD OF MARY. 




Her Awakenins:. 

"They^that in the morning early watch for Me 
shall find Me." Prov., viii. 17. 

• Ejaculation : Mother of God, remember me. 



I^ 



Stella Matutina. *'Morning Star."— St. John 
Damascene calls Mary "the Star which indicates 
the rising of the Sun." As the morning star pre- 
cedes the Sun, so does devotion toward the most 
Blessed Virgin precede the Sun of Divine Grace; 
for St. Germanus says that "devotion in a soul 
toward Mary is a sign either that it is already in 
a state of grace; or that it will very soon be so.'' 
St. Alphonsus. — Glories of Mary. 



Most Holy Virgin Mary, Mother of God, I. N., 
choose thee this morning,, in presence of my 
guardian angel and of the wh le celestial court, 
for m}' especial Lady, Advocate and Mother; and 
I firmly purpose to love and serve thee, to-day, 
and to do whatever I can to induce others to love 
and serve thee also. — St. Alphonsus. — Glories 
of Mary. 



f^HILD of Mary, remember that you 
belong to a mother most pure. As 
she is for you noAv the morning star, 
so let her be the guiding star of the 
Avhole daj'. She is the "Star of the 
Sea," to light yovi onward over the 
ocean of your earthly existence. 
When storms of temptation assail you, 
look up to that bright star, and invoke 
Mary. 



CHILD OF MABY. 





Her Meditation, 

1"\ly mouth shall meditate truth, and my lips shall 
hate wickedness." Prov., viii. 7. 

Ejaculation: O Virgin and Mother, grant that 
I may always remember thee. 



1^ 



There was never a soul on earth that pT^cticed 
in so perfect a manner as the Blessed Virgm the 
great lesson taught by our Saviour, that we ought 
always to pray, and not to faint. From no one, 
5ays St. Bonaventure, can we better take example, 
and learn how necessary is perseverance in pray- 
er, than from Mary. 



Most Holy Virgin, do thou obtain for us affec- 
tion for prayer and retirement, that, detaching 
ourselves from the love of creatures, we may 
-aspire only after God and heaven, where we hope 
one day to Fee thee, to praise thee and to love 
thee, together with Jesus, thy Son, for ever and 
«ver. Amen. — St. Alphonsus. — Glories oj 
Mary. 



I 



N all your prayers and meditations, 
ask the Blessed Virgin to be your 
guide and your advocate, your guide 
to teach you how to praj^ and j-our ad- 
vocate to present your prayers before 
the throne of God. It Avas j^our earth- 
ly mother who taught you to lisp your 
first prayers, let your heavenly mother 
initiate you into the divine mysteries 
of that enclosed garden, the spirit of 
prayer. 



CHIL.D OF MABY. 



:^ 




Her Call From Above. 

**Now therefore, ye children, hear Me: Blessed are 
they that keep My ways." Proverbs, viii. 32. 

Ejaculation: O Mary 
death. 



abandon me rot [until 



1^ 



Hail, Queen of Heaven, the ocean star^ 
Guide of the wande.-er here beiow 

Thrown on life's surge, we claim thy care 
Save us from peril and from woe. 



J^EMEMBER. Child of Mary, that life 
may be likened to a treacherous 
wilderness, where perils encompass 
you on all sides. Dark precipices skirt 
the road on which you tread, conceal- 
ed under a mass of deceitful tiowers, 
the vanities of the world. Bitter 
enemies lurk in ambush in the obscure 
recesses of the forests, ready to pounce 
upon their prey. From ihe moment 
you first entered this forest, at jour 
birth, they have been Iving in wait for 
you. Surrounded by such dangers, 
you surely need a guide, and Avhat 
better guide can you find, outside of 
God's Holv Spirit than your heavenly 
Mother. Have, therefore, recourse to 
her in all the perilous circumstances of 
vour life, and vou will alwavs be safe. 



O Mary, let me always hearken to thy gentle 
voice, and grant me the spirit of docility, that I 
may prompth' obey.; 



CHILD OF MAEY. 




Her Consecration. 



"Whosoever is a little one, let him come to Me.*' 
Prov., IX. 4. 

Ejaculation: O Mary, be graciously pleased to 
make me thy servant. 



CHILD OF MAEY. 



— -t 




Her Work. 

*'The work of the just is unto life. 



Prov., X. i6. 



Ejaculation : May all things be to the eternal 
glory of the most Holy Trinity and of Immaculate 
Mary! 



Pi 



As the glorious Virgin Mary has been raised 
to the dignity of Mother of the King of kings, it 
is not without reason that the church honors her; 
and wishes her to be honored by all, with the 
glorious title of Queen. . . . 

Hence St. Bernardine of Sienna concludes that 
•'as many creatures as there are who serve God, 
so many there are who serve Mary." . . . St. 
Alphonsus. 



'^HAT a glorious thought it is, that 
she to Avhose service we have de- 
voted ourselves, possesses a dignity 
greater than which there is none, save 
that of God. If earthly courtiers con- 
sider it an inestimable honor to be al- 
lowed to approach the throne of their 
sovereign, how much greater should 
we not regard the honor of being per- 
mitted to spend our lives in the service 
of such a great Queen ! 

Child of Mary, let that Heavenly 
Queen reign in your heart over all 
your aspirations. She loves no king- 
dom better on this earth. 



I beseech thee, O Mother of God and Queen of 
heaven, to receive me into the number of thy ser- 
vants. May I always be thine. May every 
breath I d aw and every step I take be for the 
greater glory of God and to thine honor. Mary, 
living and dying, let me be thine. 



CHILD OF MARY 



W^ 



m 




Her rieals. 

'*Man liveth not by bread alone, but by every word 
of God." Luke, iv. 4. 

Ejaculation: O Mother feed me with the divine 
word of thy Son. 



■^ 



The Blessed Virgin Mary spent a certain time 
in her daily life in the Temple, in doing some 
work that had been assigned to her. St. Jerome 
and St. Bonaventure tell us, that from the third 
hour until the ninth, that is from nine in the 
morning, until three in the afternoon, she employ- 
ed herself with work. St. Alphonsus. — Glories 
of Mary. 



O sweet Virgin Mary, may thy image be con- 
stantly before my eyes. When the pressure of ex- 
ternal affairs weighs upon me, may it recall my 
soul to a recollection of the Divine Presence. 
When I am worn out by labor, may it refresh me, 
and when my daily task is accomplished, may the 
remembrance of thee be my reward. 



(]HILD of Mary, what better model 
can you find in vour daily labors 
than your heavenly Queen .^ 

Admire her recollection, her docility 
and the spirit of prayer which ac- 
companied all her exterior action. St. 
Damascene says that "she turned her 
thoughts from earthly things, embrac- 
ing all virtues." 



CHIT.D OF MARY. 




Her Recreations. 

*'Thou that dwellest in the gardens , the friends 
hearken: make me hear thy voice*'' Canticles, 
VIII. 13. 

Ejaculation: O Mystical Rose^ fill me with thy 
sweetness. 



p[ 



TT is necessary that we should par- 
take of earthly food, in order to pre- 
serve the life and strength of the body, 
for such is the will of God, but we 
should never become slaves of our 
appetite. Can we for a moment imag- 
ine our Blessed Lady yielding to sen- 
suality in eating or drinking? She, 
too, ate, she drank, but only in accord- 
ance with the dictates of reason, and 
to accomplish the will of God. Such 
too, should be the practice of a true 
Child of ISIarj^ anxious to imitate in 
all things her heavenly Mother. Be- 
sides, mortification accompanied our 
Blessed Mother in all her actions. Xo 
better opportunity is ottered for prac- 
ticing this virtue than at table. With- 
out injuring your health, without at- 
tracting attention, seen only by the 
God who will reward you, vou m^ay 
perform many a simple act ot mortifi- 
cation in honor of your Mother, which 
you may lay as a choice flower at her 
feet and which will one day shine as 
a jewel in your crown. 



Sweet Mother of Jesus, by the spirit of mortifi- 
cation, which accompanied thee through life, 
teach me to mortify my appetite. 



CHILD OF MARY. 




Her Confessions. 



"As everlasting foundations upon a solid rock, so 
the commandments of God in the heart of a holy 
woman." Ecclesiasticus, xxvi. 24. 

Ejaculation: O Mary, lead me to Jesus. 



]pl 



(^HILD of Marj, you may and you 
must take recreation, but never 
give yourself entirely away to earthly 
joy. Let your heart be an enclosed 
garden, let there be at least one solitarj^ 
spot within your soul, in which the 
Mystical Rose may dwell and whence 
it may send forth its celestial perfume, 
to preserve your mind in recollection 
and to draw others to walk in the fra- 
grance of your virtues by imitating 
your example. The time of recreation 
is one in which many virtues may be 
practiced. Patience, meekness, for- 
bearance, charity, are only a few of 
the flowers you may lay at Mary's 
shrine while engaged in conversation 
or innocent amusement. Harmful or 
even worldly pleasures should be 
carefully avoided by every true Child 
of Marv. 



O Mystical Rose, let thy fragrance preserve the 
freshness of my virtiie. Let not the contact with 
the world into which I must necessarily sometimes 
enter sully the purity of my soul. And should 
I stray from the true path, let thy perfume, O 
Mystical Rose, recall me to a sense of my duty. 



CHILD OF MAEY 




:^^^K?- -^<'?«*Tt:''^' 




Her Communions. 

"My flesh is meat indeed, and My blood is drink in- 
Tdeed." John, vi. 

Ejaculation: ^Mother of my Eucharistic God, 
pray for me. 



n 



Mary could not sin, no Confession was needed 
by her, but her sinlessness has made her the Re- 
fuge of Sinners ^lany are those who have found 
mercy through her intercession, and peace in the 
tribunal of penance. 



(]HILD of Mary, should the dark 
shadow of sin ever be cast across 
jour pathway, let not your heart sink 
into despondency. Remember that 
Mar}^ is the Mother of Mercy. St. 
Bernard, that great servant of hers, 
tells the sinner not to lose confidence. 
Should the demon of shame tempt 
you to conceal a sin, fly to her, cast 
y^ourself at her feet, implore her power- 
ful intercession and she will surely 
help you. 

O Mary, ^Mother of !Mercy and Refuge of Sin- 
ners, open my lips, that I may avow my frailties 
to the representative of thy Divine Son. Fill my 
heart with sorrow for having offenr ed Jesus, and 
grant me the dispositions of a true penitent. 



CHILD OF MARY. 



Wf'^TT''- 




u 

Her Visits to the Blessed Sacrament. 

"This is no other but the house of God, and th e 
gate of heaven." Gen., xxviii. 17. 

Ejaculation : O Mary, help me to adore the 
Blessed Sacrament worthily. 



1^ 



piCTURE to yourself our Blessed 
Lady, after the Ascension of her 
Divine Son, receiving the Holy Com- 
munion. The recollection of her soul 
casts its reflection on her countenance. 
She is absorbed by the Divine Pres- 
ence. 



O Mary, by the love with which thou didst 
hold the Infant Saviour in thine arms and by the 
incomparable charity that filled thy heart when 
thou didst receive Him in Holy Communion, pre- 
pare my soul to partake worthily of the Bread 
of Angels, and grant that I may receive each 
Communion in the dispositions with which I 
would gladly receive the Holy Viaticum. 



A great servant of Mary, St. Aloy- 
sius, was M^ont to spend three days of 
the week in preparation, and three days 
in thanksgiving for Holj' Communion. 
The life of a Child of Mary should be 
so pure, that at any moment she may 
approach the sacred table. If the dis- 
positions of our soul were such that 
we were always prepared to go to 
Confession, to receive Holy Commun- 
ion and to die, we would have nothing 
to fear. 



CHILD OF MARY. 



;n 




Her Reading. 

"Receive My instruction, and not money; choose 
knowledge rather than gold." Prov., viii. io. 

Ejaculation : Seat of Wisdom, enlighten me: 



I^ 



1^0 we not envv the happiness of the 
Blessed Virgin who, for thirty 
jears, might dwell in the same house 
iind converse familiarly with the Incar- 
nate Word? Child ot Mary, such a 
happiness is also yours. A few steps 
from your own dwelling, you will tind 
the Son of Mary, hidden under the 
Sacramental Species. Will you not 
A^sit Him? Take the resolution not to 
let a day pass, without paying a visit 
to the Blessed Sacrament. 



O, Mary, the company of Jesus was thy delight 
on earth, as it is thy happiness in heaven. Open 
my eyes, that I may know the gift of God. 
Withdraw my heart from earthly things, that I 
may understand the infinite treasures of the Heart 
ofjesusinthe Blessed Sacrament. Let me not 
be so absorbed by the friendship of creatures and 
the conversations of this world, as to forget my 
Divine Friend of the tabernacle. 



How lovely are Thy tabernacles, O 
Lord of Hosts! 



CHILD OF MARY. 



Her Rosary. 

"Hear, O God, my prayer, when I make supplica- 
tion." Ps., LXIII. 2. 

Ejaculation: Grant that I may praise thee, O 
Virgin Mary! 



M 



'Y'HE world is filled with books, but, 
alas! much, very much that is 
written is absolutely useless. To 
spend our precious moments in read- 
ing a great part of the literature of the 
day, is to waste our time that will 
never return. 

It is also true, sadly true, that the 
stream of knowledge, flowing from 
the printed press, is contaminated 
with much that is positively injurious. 
It is the part of Avisdom to discrimin- 
ate. Child of the Immaculate Mary, 
never let your eyes rest upon the foul 
pages of a corrupt book, never suffer 
a work against your Holy Faith to re- 
main two seconds in vour hand. 



Holy Mother, thou Virgin truly wise, guard 
me against the folly of so many daughters of Eve 
who, led by morbid curiosity, taste and eat of the 
forbidden fruit of licentious and anti-Catholic lit- 
erature. Guide me in the selection of my books 
and let my reading be conducive to the enlighten- 
ment of my mind and the improvement of my 
heart. 



I 



CHILD OF MAEY. 




Her Charity. 

"By this shall all men know that you are My dis- 
ciples; if you have love, one for another." Jonx, 
XIII. 35. 

Ejaculation: Mother of Divine Cbarity, pray 
for me ! 



1^ 



'T'HE Holy Rosary is one of the most 
excellent forms of prayer. It is 
both mental and vocal, ilental, by 
the meditation on the mysteries, and 
vocal, by the recitation of the prayers 
it contains. These prayers are vener- 
able on account of their antiquity and 
of their origin. They all ascend to 
the earliest ages of Christianity and 
some of them are Divine. The "Our 
Father" had Christ as Author, and the 
first part of the "Hail Mary" was first 
pronounced by the lips of an angel. 
What better prayers can we find? A 
Child of ]SIary loves to weave that 
crown of roses daily and lay it at her 
brother's feet. 



Grant, sweet Mother, that I ma^- never let a day- 
pass without reciting the chaplet, the third part 
of the Rosary. May the hour of my death find 
me, like St. John Berchmans, with the Rosary in 
my hands and may my soul pass hence, wilh the 
names of Jesu3 and Mary on my lips ! 



I 



CHILD OF MARY. 






Her Zeal. 

"The lips of the just teach many." Prov., x. 21. 

Ejaculation: Refuge of Sinners, fill my heart 
with zeal ! 



n 



'T'HE greatest proof of love that one 
can give, as our Lord has taught 
us, is to lay down his lifefor his friend. 
Mar J gave not her life, but what she 
loved more than her own life, — that of 
her only Son. You may never be 
called upon to sacrifice your life for 
the sake of charity, but, every day, 
opportunities will present themselves, 
for exercising that virtue. Never grow 
tired of it, though its practice entail a 
sacrifice, and should weak human na- 
ture groan under the many demands 
made upon it, remember your ^Mother, 
the Mater Dolorosa^ at the foot of the 
Cross. There is so much wretchedness 
in this world, and much of it can be 
alleviated by Christian Charity. 



Mother most amiable, touch the heart of selfish 
mankind with a little of that pity that filled thy 
own maternal heart. Grant that I may never 
grow weary in the practice of this virtue and that 
even ingratitude may never succeed m eradicating 
it from my soul. How happy I will be, if 1 di-^ 
consumed by the flames of charity ! 



CHILD OF MARY 





Her Joys. 

"I will be glad and rejoice in Thee, I will sing praise 
to Thy name, O Thou most high." Ps., ix. 3. 

Ejaculation : Cause of our Joy, 'pray for us! 



n 



T^OT all are priests, but all may be 
apostles. The vineyard is vast, 
and the laborers are few. Why not be 
a laborer in the Lord's vineyard, ac- 
cording to the measure of your talents, 
and your opportunities? A kind word 
of advice may draw your friend from 
the path of sin, and patience may con- 
vert your enemy. Preach then while 
you live, and cease not. Preach by 
jour words, but let your zeal be pru- 
dent. Preach still more by your ex- 
ample. 



O Mother of the world's Redeemer, by that zeal 
for souls which filled thy heart, grant that I may 
jirdently long for the conversion of sinners. Let 
my words, my examples and my prayers tend to- 
ward this great end. Convert, I beseech thee,. 
those who are far from thy Son, and, above all, 
those of whose sins I may have been the cause, 
consciously or unconsciously. Bring them all 
to Jesus, and let us praise thee in the realms 
above. Amen. 



CHILD OF MARY 




1 





Her Temptations. 

"Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert, to 
be tempted by the devil." Matthew, iv. i. 



Ejaculation: Mary, save me lest I perish. 



J 



1^ 



(]HILD of Mary, there is no solid joy 
on earth outside of God. Mary 
understood this, and all the saints have 
been penetrated Vvith this truth ; hence 
they gave themselves to their Creator 
in the days of their youth ; or, after 
having tasted the bitter waters of 
earth's pleasures, they turned away 
from them in disgust and hastened to 
devote the remainder of their lives to 
His service, and seek rest in the Infi- 
nite. 

Man's heart is created for the Infinite, 
and it is impossible that all finite crea- 
tures could fill it. 

"My heart," exclaimed St Augus- 
tine, "is restless until it rests in Thee." 
How should we not envy Mary ^vho 
found her purest delight in God frcm 
her earliest infancy! She never al- 
lowed her eyes to rest upon those fad- 
ing colors of the rainbow that we call 
the vain pleasures of earth. Conse- 
quently she was never disappointed. 



O Blessed Mother of the Source of Infinite Bliss, 
grant that all our joys be innocent! Let them 
rest on the solid foundation of God's love. Then 
shall we enjoy that peace which the world cannot 
give and which thy Divine Son wished to His 
Apostles, that peace of which the angels sang on 
that night when thou didst become a iVI other. 



CHIT.D OF MARY. 




Her Trials. 

"If any man will come after Me let him deny him 
self, and take up his cross and follow Me." Mark, 
VIII. 34. 

Ejaculation : Holy Mother of Sorrows, obtain 
for me patience in my trials. 



1^ 



QURROUNDED by spiritual enemies, 
it is impossible for us to pass 
through this vale of tears Avithout be- 
ing tempted. Christ Himself submit- 
ted to temptation, that He might serve 
us as a model. Temptation is not a 
sin ; even the greatest saints have been 
tempted; only consent to temptation 
is sinful. Unfortunately many yield 
to the suggestions of the enemy , and the 
reason of this is, that they fail to in- 
voke the aid from on high without 
which resistance to temptation is im- 
possible, ^lary the Immaculate is re- 
presented crushing the serpent's head. 
She has conquered our infernal enemy, 
and he fears her, as much as he hates 
her. There is consequently, after 
Jesus Christ, no more powerful ally in 
our combat with hell, than Mary. Her 
name alone inspires the demons with 
dread and they fear to attack, nor can 
they conquer him who invokes her 
name. Whenever then, Child of Mary, 
the Powers of Darkness assail thee, 
have recourse to thy Mother, cast thy- 
self upon her protection, invoke her 
name with confidence and thou wilt be 
the victor. 



In moments of darkness, when danger is nigh, 
Then, Mother, sweet Mother, look down from oa 
high. 



I 



CHILI) OF MAEY. 




Her Monthly Preparation for Death. 

**If a man live many years, and have rejoiced in 
them all; he must remember the darksome time." 
ECCLES., XI. 8. 

Ejaculation: "Holy Mary, pray for us at the 
hour of our death !" 



1^ 



'T'HE Way of the Cross is the royal 
highroad to perfection, all the 
saints have trodden it. ]Mary, the 
Mater Dolorosa, has closely followed 
in the footsteps of her Divine Son and 
set us all an example. From the mo- 
ment when the Archangel announced 
to her that she was destined to become 
the ^Mother of Him Who was to save 
the world, until that, when she stood 
beneath His cross, her life was one 
long martvrdom. If Jesus was the 
'Man of Sorrows and Marv, the Mother 
of Sorrows, does it seem meet that the 
disciple of Jesus and the child of Mary, 
should be exempt from suffering? 

Walk rather in the footsteps of the 
saints, take up your cross, that cross 
w^hich the loving hand of jour Father 
in heaven has placed upon your 
shoulders, bear it patiently and follow 
Jesus Christ. Then you will be a true 
Child of Mary, and the Sorrowful 
Mother wall be for you the consoler of 
the afflicted. She will comfort you in 
all your sufferings. 



CHILD OF MAI5V. 




■^f \ 



Her Death. 

"JBlessed are the dead who die in the Lord.'' Apos., 
XIV. 13. 

Ejaculation: Jesus, Mary and Joseph, may I 
breathe out my soul m peace with you I 



1^ 



^HE Scripture tells us that the 
memory of death is bitter for the 
man who has peace in his substance ; 
or earthly possessions. For those who 
seek no better lite than this, there can 
be no more bitter thought than that of 
death. Not thus, however, is it for 
him who knows that we have here no 
lasting city, but seek a future one. 
Mary lived on earth, but her thoughts 
were centred in heaven. She was al- 
Avays prepared to depart. The saints 
spent their lives in constant prepara- 
tion for death, hence it found them 
ready, nor were they as a general rule, 
afraid to die. For the servants of God, 
death was hot a bitter memory. Child 
of Mary, think often and piously of 
death, while you are alive and you will 
meet its approach with joy. Death 
will be for vou the portals of another 
life. 



Spend each day as if it were the 
last. 



CHILI) OF MARY. 




Her Entrance into Heaven. 

**And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; 
and death shall be no more, nor mourning, nor crying, 
nor sorrow shall be any more, for the former things 
are passed away. Apoc, xxi. 4. 

Ejaculation: My heart longs to be with thee, 
sweet Mother 1 



1^ 



J^EATH is the echo of life. Though 
not a few cases are recorded of those 
who, having led a sinful life, have been 
recalled to repentance on their death- 
bed, the general rule seems to be that 
as we live, thus we die. What death 
can be happier than that of her who, 
during life, has been a faithful servant 
of Mary ! 

That ^lother, the ever faithful Vir- 
gin, Avho is never conquered in gener- 
osity, will certainly fly to the assist- 
ance of her child in those supreme 
moments when hell will make its last 
efforts to tear an immortal soul awav 
from God. But Mary's servant need 
not fear hell then. She who has loved 
her heavenly Mother during life, will 
find that Mother by her side in death. 
She Avill then prove herself to be the 
Evening Star, shedding its rays upon 
the last moments of a virtuous day 
which is to be succeeded by another 
day, that knows no sunset. 



By the death of thy Son, O Mother of Life, lead 
my soul safely through the dark valley of the 
shadows of death. 



I^ 



J-IOW short is time ; how long eterni- 
ty ! Child of Mary, now thou 
sowest in tears, transitory tears, then 
thou wilt reap injoy, endless joy; now 
thou art laboring, w^hile the years are 
fleeting, then thou wilt rest, in never- 
ending years. When thou feelest faint 
on the way, think of heaven, of thy 
reward. Represent to thyself the 
triumphal entrance of a soul into 
heaven, and thou wilt feel comforted. 
How sweet it will be to meet her whom 
thou dost love to call by the tender 
name of Mother! On that day she will 
amply reward you for all the sacrifices 
you have made in her honor, on that 
day when you will pass 

Out of the shadows of sadness. 
Into the sunshine of gladness, 

Into the light of the blest; 
Out of a land very dreary. 
Out of the world very weary. 

Into the rapture of rest. 

Father Ryan. 



1^ 



/IDorning praters* 



Lord, open my lips, 
And let my mouth announce Thy 
praise. 

Incline unto my aid, O God, 
Lord make haste to help me. 
Glory be to the Father, etc. 

To the immortal and invisible King 
of Ages, to God only be honor and 
glory for ever, and ever. Amen. 

Our Father ; Hail Mary ; I believe 
in God. 

On Thee, O Lord, have I called, 
Let my prayer come before Thee in 

the morning ; 

May my mouth be filled v^ith praise, 
That I may sing Thy glory and Thy 

greatness all the day long. 

Our help is in the name of the Lord 
Who made heaven and earth. 
I confess to Almighty God, etc. 

Deign, O Lord, to-day to preserve us 
from all sin. 

Lord hear my prayer. 

And let my cry come unto Thee. 



1^ 



Prayer. 

O Lord, Almighty God, Who hast 
caused us to arrive at the beginning of 
this day, save us by Thj- strength, that 
during the course of the day we may 
not incline to sin, but that all our 
thoughts, words and deeds may be di- 
rected to the accomplishment of Thy 
will. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, 
Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with 
Thee in the unity ot the Holy Ghost, 
world without end. Amen. 

Holy Mary and all the Saints inter- 
cede for us to the Lord, that we may 
merit to be aided and saved by Him 
who liveth and reigneth, world with- 
out end. Amex. 

Lord have mercy on us, 
Christ have mercy on us. 
Lord have mercy on us, 
Our Father. 

Prayer. 

O Lord God, King of Heaven and 
earth, deign to direct, sanctify, rule 
and govern to-day our hearts and bod- 
ies, our senses, words and actions in 
Thy law and in the works of Thy com- 
mandments, that by Thy aid we may 
merit to be saved and rendered free, 
O Saviour of the world. Who livest and 
reignest, world without end. Amen. 



^ 



We flj to Thy patronage, O Holy 
Mother of God, do not despise our pe- 
titions in our necessities, but deliver 
us always from all dangers, O glor- 
ious and Blessed Virgin. 

Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, 
That we may be made worthy of the 
promises of Christ. 

Prayer. 

Grant Thy servants, we beseech 
Thee, O Lord God, to enjoy constant 
health of mind and body, and by the 
glorious intercession of Blessed Mary, 
ever Virgin to be delivered from pres- 
ent sorrow and enjoy eternal gladness, 
through Christ, our Lord. A:mex. 

O my God, in union with the mer- 
its of Jesus Christ, I consecrate to 
Thee my thoughts, words, actions and 
sufferings of to-day, that all may be 
to Thy greater honor and glory. I 
make, also, the intention to gain all 
the indulgences I can, and to apply 
them to the souls in Purgatory. 

Saint Joseph, my Angel Guardian, 
and all my holy patrons, intercede for 
me. 

May the souls of the faithful depart- 
ed, through the mercy of God, rest in 
peace ! Amen. 



IPraper Bctovc /(Deals. 

Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy 
gifts, which we are about to receive of 
Thy bounty, through Christ our Lord. 

A.MEN. 



praper Htter /IDeals. 



We give Thee thanks for all Thy 
benefits, O Almighty God, Who livest 
and reignest, world without end. 
Amen. 



IPra^ers at iWiass. 



Before Mass. 



Grant, O Christ my Saviour, that I 
may approach this adorable sacrifice 
in the same spirit with which Thy 
Blessed Mother ascended the sacred 
mountain of Calvary. I offer it up to 
Thy eternal Father for this special in- 
tention (name the intention). 

At the Psalm Judica. 

Render me worthy, O God, to assist 
at the sacred mysteries of the altar. 
I confess to Almighty God, etc. 



n 



When the Priest Ascends 
THE Altar Steps. 

Take away, from us, O Lord, our 
iniquities, that we may be worthy to 
approach the Holy of Holies with pure 
minds. 



At the Kyrie Eleison, 



Lord have mercy on us, 
Christ have mercy on us, 
Lord have mercv on us. 



At the Gloria. 



We praise Thee, O Lord, and we 
thank Thee for Thy own glory's sake. 
Grant us peace, have mercy on us, 
take away our sins, and always hear 
our prayer. 

The Epistle and Gospel of the day 
may now he read. 

At the Offertory. 

Receive, Holy Father, Almighty and 
Eternal God, the Immaculate Host 
w-hich Thy priest novr by anticipation 
offers to Thee, the living and true God, 
for himself and all present, as well as 
for all Christians, living and dead. 



1^ 



When the Priest Bows before 

THE .Altar, after Offering the 

Chalice. 

Maj we be accepted bj Thee, O 
Lord, in the spirit of humility and in 
a contrite heart, and may this sacrifice 
be acceptable in Thy sight. 

At the Lavabo. 

Grant, O Lord, to Thy minister 
the purity of soul required for the 
celebration of the Divine Mysteries, 
and may all priests throughout the 
world appreciate their ineffable dig- 
nity. 

At the Preface. 

Let us always and in all places give 
thanks to Thee, O Holy Lord, Almighty 
Father and Eternal God, through 
Christ Our Lord, through Whom the 
Angels praise Thy majesty, the Domin- 
ations adore Thee and the Powers 
tremble before Thee. The Virtues, 
the Blessed Seraphim and all the 
heavenly Choirs unite with exultation 
in Thy praises, and to these we humb- 
ly pray Thee, that Thou mayest permit 
our voices to be united. 



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The Canon. 

We pray Thee, O most merciful 
Father, to accept the offering of Thy 
priest for the welfare of the Catholic 
Church, for our Holy Father, the 
Pope, for our Bishop, and for all the 
faithful, especially for {mention the 
names of those for whom you wish to 
pray). 

At the Consecration. 

Silent prayer^ dictated by the hearty 
is best suited to this august moment^ 
in which all the powers of the soul 
should concentrate themselves in ador- 
ation. It should be followed by a few 
moments of silent meditation. 



Memento of the DexVd. 

Remember, O Lord, Thy servants 
Avho have preceded us with the sign of 
faith, andw^ho sleep in peace (mention 
the names of the departed ones for 
whom you wish to pray). 



At the Pater Noster. 

Emboldened by Thy precept we pray 
to Thee, O Lord, in the prayer which 
Thou didst teach us : Our Father, etc. 



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At the Agnus Dei. 

Lord Jesus Christ, who didst say 
to Thy Apostles : My peace I leave to 
you, My peace I give to you, look not 
on our sins but on the faith of the 
Church, and grant to her peace and 
unity, who liveth and reigneth God 
world without end. Amen. 

At the Communion. 

1 beseech Thee, O Lord, to lead me, 
sinner, to the ineffable banquet where 
Thou givest Thy flesh to eat and Thy 
blood to drink. If I may not receive 
Thee now, I ardently desire to do so, 
and I pray Thee to grant me the graces 
of a Spiritual Communion. 

At the Blessing of the Priest. 

May the sacrifice now consummated 
be acceptable to Thee, O Lord, and 
may it spread its blessings over the 
face of the earth. Let now Thy ser- 
vant depart in peace with the blessing 
of the Holy Trinity communicated by 
thy earthly representative in'the name 
of the Father, and of the Son, and of 
the Holy Ghost. 



1^ 

iBvcninQ praters* 

Lord let me know Thee, and let me 
know mjself. Grant me light, that I 
may see my sins, and fill my heart 
with sorrow that I may detest them. 

Examination of Conscience. 

I confess to Almighty God, etc. 

The acts of Faith, Hope, Charity 
and Contrition. 

Our Father ; Hail Mary ; the Apos - 
ties' Creed. 

Prayer. 

Visit, we beseech Thee, O Lord, this 
dwelling and remove far from it all the 
snares of the enemy : Let Thy Holy 
Angels dwell herein to preserve us in 
peace, and may Thy blessing be always 
on us. Through Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

Cover us, O Mother Mary ! with the 
mantle of thy protection, that the 
enemy may not prevail against us, 
and let us rest in peace. 

Mary, Mother of Grace, Mother of Mercy, 

From the enemy protect us, 

And at the hour of death receive us. 

May the Almighty and merciful 
Lord, Father, Son and Holy Ghost 
bless and protect us ! Amen. 



n 



flowers 



From which a Child of Mary may 

CULL A Daily Nosegay to place 

AT HER Mother's Shrine. 



Three Morning -Glorias : Three Hail 
Marys in the morning in honor of the 
Immaculate Conception. 

Three Lilies : The same prayers in 
the evening. 

The Red Rose : An act of charity 
performed in honor of Mary. 

A Bunch of Violets : Acts of self- 
humiliation. 

Heliotropes : Sorrows borne with 
patience in honor of Our Mother. 

A Nosegay of Boses : Bed, White, 
Yellow, Pink. The Litany of Loretto. 

Fifty White Boses : The joyful mys- 
teries of the Rosary. 

Fifty Bed Boses : The sorrowful 
mysteries of the Rosary. 

Fifty Tea Boses : The glorious mys- 
steries of the Rosary. 

The Jasmine : Good example given 
to honor Mary. 

Oleander : A daily meditation. 

llie Passion Flower : Exercises in 
honor of the seven dolors of Mary. 
Seven Hail Marys daily. 



n 



Prayer in Honor of Mary. 

Most Holy Virgin, Mother of the 
Incarnate Word, treasurer of graces and 
the refuge of us poor sinners, we have 
recourse to thy maternal love w^ith 
lively faith, and we ask of thee the 
grace always to accomplish the will of 
God and thine own will. We place 
our heart into thy most holy hands, 
begging of thee health of soul and 
body; we hope firmly that thou, our 
tender, mother, wilt hear us; for this 
reason we say with lively faith : 

Hail Mary (three times). 

Let Us Pray. 

Guard Thy servants, we beseech 
Thee, O Lord, from all infirmity, 
through the intercession of Blessed 
Mary, ever Virgin, and mercifully pro- 
tect from the snares of the enemies 
those who prostrate themselves before 
Thee with their whole heart. Through 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 

200 days^ indulgence. 

Sweet Heart of Mary, be my refuge ! 

300 days^ indulgence every time this 
ejaculation is repeated, and a plenary 
indulgence once a month, if repeated 
daily. 



n 



®ur XaDi5 ot tbe SacreD 1beart» 

To thee, sweet Mother, Heaven 1 J Queen! 

We raise our loving hearts to-daj ; 
O deign to listen to our words, 

While low'ly at thv feet we prav. 

Sweet Lady of the Sacred Heart, 
Before thy shrine to-day, 

We kneel on earth to choose thee 
Qiieen. 
Queen of Heaven's eternal May. 

We call thee oft the Qiieen of May, 
And lily pure, and mystic rose, 

And ISIother of our Jesus dear, 

In whose sweet heart love brightly 
glows. 

And by this name to-day we call 
On thee, by the unwearying love, 

Which thou dost for thy children feel, 
To raise our loving hearts above. 

Then beg of Jesus by the blood 

That flowed so freely from His Heart, 

That He will bathe us in its flood 
That chastened we may form a part, 

A beauteous, holy, loving part 

Of that much envied train and bright, 

That folloAvs evermore the Lamb 

Through Heaven's eternal realms of 
light. 



p[ 



Til Sing a Ibismn to /Ibari^. 

I'll sing a hymn to Marj, 

The mother of my God, 
The Vh-gin of all Virgins, 

Of David's royal blood. 
Oh, teach me, holy Mary 

A loving song to frame, 
When wicked men blaspheme thee 

To love and bless thy name. 

When troubles dark afflict me 

In sorrow and in care, 
Thy light doth ever guide me 

O beauteous Morning Star. 
Lo, I'll be ever ready 

Thy goodly help to claim, 
When wicked men blaspheme thee 

I'll love and bless thy name. 

The saints are high in glory. 

With golden crowns so bright. 
But brighter far is Mary, 

Upon her throne of light. 
Oh, that which God did give thee, 

Let mortals ne'er disclaim, 
When wicked men blaspheme thee, 

I'll love and bless thy name. 

And now, O Virgin Mary, 
My mother and My Qjjeen, 

I've sung thy praise,' so bless me. 
And keep my heart from sin. 



n 



When others jeer and mock thee, 

I'll often think how I, 
To shield my Mother Mary, 

Would lay me down and die. 

2)aili2» Dalli2 Sing to illbari?. 



Daily, daily sing to Mary 

Sing, my soul, her praises due; 
All her feasts, her actions worship. 

With the heart's devotion true. 
Lost in wond'ring contemplation. 

Be her Majesty confess'd ; 
Call her Mother, cill her Virgin 

Happy Mother, Virgin blest. 

She is mighty to deliver ; 

Call her, trust her lovingly ; 
When the tempest rages round thee. 

She will calm the troubled sea. 
Gifts of heaven she has given, 

Noble Lady, to our race ; 
She the Queen who decks her subject. 

With the light of God's own grace. 

Sing, my tongue, the Virgin's trophies 

Who for us her Maker bore. 
For the curse of old inflicted. 

Peace and blessing to restore. 
Sing in songs of peace unending, 

Sing the world's majestic Queen : 
Weary not lor faint in telling. 

All the gifts she gives to men. 



n 



All our jojs do flow from Mary ; 

All then join her praise to sing, 
Trembling sing the Virgin Mother, 

Mother of our Lord and King. 
While we sing her awful glory. 

Far above our fancy's reach, 
Let our hearts be quick to offer - 

Love alone the heart can teach. 

/Ifbotber H)ear, ®! Iprai^ toi /IRe, 



Mother dear, O ! pray for me, 

Whilst far from Heav'n and thee, 
I w^ander in a fragile bark. 

O'er life's tempestuous sea ; 
O Virgin Mother, from thy throne, 

So bright in bliss above. 
Protect thy child and cheer my path, 

With thy sweet smile of love. 

Cho. Mother dear, remember me, 
And never cease thy care, 

'Till in heaven eternally. 
Thy love and bliss I share. 

Mother dear, O ! pray for me, 
Should pleasure's syren lay, 

E'er tempt thy child to wander far 
From Virtue's path away ; 



n 



When thorns beset life's devious way, 

And darkling waters flow, 
Then Mary, aid thy weeping child, 

Thyself a mother, show. 
Mother dear, &c. 

Mother dear, O! pray for me, 

When all looks bright and fair, 
That I may all my danger see, 

For surely then 'tis near ; 
A Mother's pray'r how much we need 

If prosperous be the ray 
That paints with gold the f ow'ry mead. 

Which blossoms in our way. 
Mother dear, &c. 



1bail, tbeavenl^ (Slueen! 



Hail, heavenly Queen I Hail foamy 
ocean star ! 

O be our guide, diffuse thy beams 
afar ; 

Hail, Mother of God ! above all vir- 
gins blest. 

Hail, happy gate of heav'n's eternal 
rest. 

Cho. — Hail, foamy ocean star ! Hail 
heav'nly Queen ! 

||: O be our guide to endless joys un- 
seen. :|1 

Repeat. 



n 



"Hail, full of grace," with Gabriel we 

repeat ; 
Thee, Qvieen of heav'n from him we 

learn to greet ; 
Then give us peace which heav'n alone 

can give. 
And dead thro' Eve, thro' Mary let us 

live. 

Hail, foamy, &c. 

Our lives unstain'd, in purity pre- 
serve ; 

Nor e'er permit our ways from truth 
to swerve, 

That when our time has rolled its rap- 
id round, 

We may, with Christ, in heav'nly bliss 
be crown'd. 

Hail, foamy, &c. 

Bve Sanctt66tma» 



Ave Sanctissima, we lift our souls to 

thee, 
Ora pro nobis, 'tis nightfall on the sea. 
Watch us while shadows lie, far o'er 

the water sprea-d ; 
Hear the heart's lonely sigh , thine, 

too, hath bled.- 



1^ 



Thou that hath looked on death, aid 

us when death is near, 
Whisper of Heav'n to faith, sweet 

Mother, sweet Mother, hear. 
Ora pro nobis, the wave must rock 

our sleep, 
Ora, Mater, ora, Star of the deep. 

Ave Purissima, list to thy children's 

prajer : 
Audi Maria, and take us to thy care. 
When darkness comes o'er us, whilst 

here on earth we stay, 
Thy light shine before us, guide of our 

way. 

®ra ©ro /IRe* 



Ave Maria ! bright and pure, 
Hear,' O hear me when I pray, 

Pains and pleasures trj' the pilgrim 
On his long and dreary ^\"tiy. 

Fears and perils are around me, 

Ave Maria ! bright and pure, 

Ora pro me, ora pro me. 

Ave Maria! Queen of Heaven, 
Teach, O teach me to obey, 

Lead me on, tho' fierce temptations 
Stand and meet me in the w^ay. 

When I fall and faint, my Mother, 

Ave Maria ! bright and pure, 

Ora pro me, ora pro me. 



1^ 



Then shall I, if thon, O Mary, 
Art my strong support and stay, 

Fear nor feel the three-told danger, 
Standing forth in dread array, 

Now and ever shield and guard me, 

Ave Maria I bright and pure, 
Ora pro me, era pro me. 

When my eyes are slowly closing, 
And I fade from earth away, 

And when Death, the stern destroyer, 
Claims my body as his prey, 

Claim my soul, and then, sweet Mary, 

Ave Maria ! bright and pure, 

Ora pro m.e, ora pro me. 



n 



/libaiia 3U Xiebeiu 



To love Holy ^Nlary 

I ever will try ; 
For she is my Lady, 

Her servant am I ; 
My heart, Holy Mary, 

Burns always for thee ; 
With love and with gladness. 

Dear Mary, love me. 

Now guard and protect me, 

O Mary ! I pray, 
When I am in danger, 

Ah, go not away; 
For thou art my ^lother. 

Thy child I will he, 
In life and Avhen dying, 

I'll love God and thee. 

My heart and my wishes, 

And all that I have, . 
To love Holy Mary, 

Forever I give ; 
Ah, had I a thousand 

Immortal souls more, 
Each one would be singinsr- 

Her praise evermore. 



■»" 



O Mary, I give thee. 

This poor heart of mine. 
In life and when dying, 

It ever is thine ; etc. 



